How Long Does Zucchini Stay Fresh?

By Andrea Drinkard

Zucchini is such a versatile veggie. You can sauté it, roast it, grill it or even spiralize it into zoodles. This summer squash is best in the warmer months but is available year round. It's nearly 95 percent water, which makes it very susceptible to mold. To maintain freshness, buying and storing zucchini properly is super important.

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How Long Does Zucchini Stay Fresh?

Buying Zucchini

When shopping for zucchini, avoid bruised pieces, as bruising increases the risk of the vegetable growing mold or wilting.

Storing Zucchini in the Refrigerator

Zucchini rots when moisture meets air. For maximum freshness, keep excess moisture and air to a minimum. Do not wash zucchini before storage. Wipe excess moisture off with a paper towel. Store in a plastic zip-top bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator (remove as much air from the bag as possible). The crisper drawer is ideal as it maintains the right humidity for fresh produce.

How Long Will It Stay Fresh?

Stored property, zucchini stays fresh for five to seven days. If stored for a longer time, it quickly loses freshness and eventually secretes all of its moisture. After a week, the bag could be filled with green water.

Storing Zucchini in the Freezer

If you intend to use the zucchini later than seven days, place the airtight plastic bag in the freezer. Freezing does deplete the zucchini's texture, but the veggie will still work well in baked or stewed dishes.